Page 45 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

He slipped down onto his ass, blinking rapidly. She moved to straddle his legs and could hear him gulp over the rush of the water.

Lord, he felt incredible against her. His thighs were all hot and hard between hers. She wiped the water off his forehead and chin while his eyes fixed to her chest.

Her stomach warmed. “Like the view?”

His rumble of approval made her squirm, and he gripped her hips but hesitated to pull her in. She moved for him, pressing her stomach against his torso. She could feel his hard cock snug between her legs, and it made her pussy pulse. Her toes curled in the water.

“I don’t want you to believe what the others say.”

She snapped back to attention, realizing that Govek’s expression had turned brooding, and he wouldn’t meet her eyes.

“You mean... about what Maythra said? And others in the clan?”

“And Yerina’s lies. I have no right to argue because some of what she shared with others is true. But... I still...”

“Please tell me, Govek,” Miranda said, scratching at his damp scalp. “Like I said, I want to hear your side of things too.”

He gulped as he looked at her chest again. “Can I rest my head here?”

“Yes?” Miranda said uncertainly, half expecting him to play with her boobs. Instead, he brought his knees up so she was lifted higher, and he could more easily tuck his temple against her collarbone. His cheek rested between her breasts. His ear was right above her heart.

The warmth of him was staggering, and her heart skipped. She wondered if he could hear it.

“That last time with her was... awful.” His voice was muffled. “I do not want to speak on it, but I will if you...”

“You don’t have to.” Miranda scratched his scalp again, and he shivered. She wasn’t too eager to hear about him being with another woman. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.”

He nodded, hair tickling her sensitive flesh with each motion. “She... left. Rejected me. And I realized that nothing I could do would ever win her. I had done my absolute fucking best and she still...” His arms came around her middle and he squeezed gently.

“It’s okay,” Miranda said, leaning down to put her cheek against the top of his head.

“I lost my control, Miranda. Like fucking always and it ruined me. Us.” His body went lax. “The message from Karthoc about my brother going missing arrived the very next morn, and I left without seeing or speaking to her. Nor did I send her a message. Even with her imprint still coursing in my veins.”

Miranda’s stomach twisted at the mention. Was... he still imprinted on her?

If he felt her tense, he didn’t mention it. “She likely spread those lies out of hurt. There is some truth to them. There had been times that I was...” He shook his head against her. “I cannot overcome my nature. I am an uncontrolled wre?—”

“Stop calling yourself a wretch, Govek.”

He jerked away from her, looking into her face with wide eyes.

“You are not a wretch. Not to me. And a rough breakup doesn’t give your ex the right to spread lies about you.”

Govek looked back at her chest, clearly wanting to rest against her again. She pulled him back down, curling her hands around the back of his head and pressing him in to hold him gently.

If he wasn’t brave enough to take what he wanted yet, then she would just give it to him. She could keep giving it to him until he gained his courage.

He sighed raggedly, though his tension eased. “It does not matter what the humans or orcs of Rove Wood say. We will be leaving, and I have no intention of interacting with Oakwall again.”

“Oakwall?”

“The only human village within the Rove Woods. Our clan has been peaceful with them for centuries and meets with them to trade three times every moon.”

“And that’s where you met Yerina? Where she is now?”

“Yes. I met her at the trades. Her sister is the only decent baker in these woods.”

Miranda snorted. “Is that why your bread is so awful?”

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